Comparative studies on zooplankton production using different types of organic manure

This study compares the species composition, diversity and abundance of zooplankton produced, using three different sources of organic manure as culture media. The study lasted for twenty-eight (28) days. Nine (9) concrete tanks, each of dimension 1m x 1m x 1m, were respectively filled with one hundred and fifty (150) litres of water from the same source and used for the study. The tanks were randomly grouped in threes and labelled A1 ? A3, B1 ? B3 and C1 - C3. Two kilograms of cow dung mixed with 1 Kg of humus tied in a porous bag was put into each of tanks A1 ? A3. Tanks B1 ? B3 received 2 Kg of poultry droppings and 1 Kg of humus while tanks C1 ? C3 received pig dung and humus in the same proportion. Zooplankton was harvested weekly by the horizontal trawl method, using a micro - filament plankton net of 50 ~km-1 mesh size and collected in a 50 ml glass bottle. The samples collected were stored in 10 % buffered formalin. Samples collected were identified and enumerated in the laboratory using a binocular dissecting microscope at a magnification of x100. Data collected were analysed, using one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and means were separated using Duncan’s multiple range test (DMRT). Mergerlef’s diversity indices was used to test for species diversity in each of the culture media. Result showed that total number of individuals produced was highest in cultures using poultry droppings. This was however not significantly different (P>0.05) from those cultured using pig dung, but was significantly different (P<0.05) from those cultured using cow dung. Result further revealed that cow dung produced more rotifers, poultry droppings produced more cladocera pig dung more copepods. In terms of species diversity, poultry droppings culture was more diverse and even, compared to those from the other cultures. Thus poultry droppings is the preferred media for use in zooplankton culture to feed fish and fish larvae

Response of Clarias gariepinus to Allium sativum-based diet on growth performance and Staphylococcus aureus challenge infection

The response of Clarias gariepinus to Allium sativum on growth performance and as anti-bacterial agent in Staphylococcus aureus challenge infection was evaluated. A. sativum was included at 0% (control), 1.5%, 3.0%, and 4.5% in fish diet. Twenty fish samples each were randomly distributed into four tanks (T1, T2, T3 and T4). Fish were fed twice daily at 5% body weight for twelve weeks. All fish were challenged with 0.5ml of pure culture of S. aureus. A significant (P&lt;0.05) increase in body weight, total length and standard length was observed. A. sativum at 3.0% inclusion promoted highest growth with feed conversion ratio (1.25-1.41), protein efficiency ratio (1.72-0.56), specific growth rate (1.92-2.09), condition factor (0.83-1.99) and survival rate (60-95). Fish-fed A. sativum diet showed that 4.5% inclusion had the least S. aureus activity. Bacteria load significantly (P&lt;0.05) decrease at week 12. Culture water had dissolved oxygen of 4.0 - 4.2 mg/L, pH 6.0 - 7.0 and temperature of 26.0-28.0oC. This study has shown that A. sativum supplemented diets enhanced growth of C. gariepinus and functioned as antibacterial agent against S. aureus. A. sativum at 3.0% inclusion in diet is recommended for better fish growth and 4.5% A. sativum for antibacterial action. Keywords: Fish, herb, growth, infectio

Levels of Petroleum Hydrocarbons and some Heavy Metals in Tissues of Tympanotonus fuscatus periwinkles from Warri river of Niger Delta Area of Nigeria

The levels of petroleum hydrocarbons and some heavy metals in the tissues of Tympanotomus fuscatus periwinkle from Warri River of Niger Delta area were investigated. Six hundred samples of periwinkles collected fortnightly for a period of six months from three stations (Jala. Ubeji and Suoroagbene-control) along Warri River were analyzed using Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry for the determination of heavy metals. The mean levels of total hydrocarbon varied from 0.0045mg/g to 0.093 mg/g and mean lead (Pb) levels varied from 0.0023 ppm to 0.046 ppm. Mercury (Hg) and Cadmium (Cd) were below the instrument detection limit of <0.001 ppm in all three stations. The levels of total hydrocarbon at Jala and Ubeji were significantly (P < 0.05) higher than at Suoroagbene, the control station. The level of lead at Suoroagbene was significantly lower (P < 0.05) than at Jala and Ubeji. The higher levels of total hydrocarbon and lead in tissues of periwinkles from Jala and Ubeji were attributed to more industrial activities and close proximity of the stations to the major road where emission from automobiles abound more than Suoroagbene, which is purely a residential area. This study demonstrated the evidence of bioaccumulations of total hydrocarbons and lead but levels were below the recommended tolerable levels and also lower than levels reported previously in periwinkle tissues by some authors in same river. This implies that periwinkles from Warri River are safer now than before as a food source for consumers who delight in this delicacy. However, constant monitoring of water bodies receiving effluents is emphasized in order to forestall cumulative effects of pollutants which may lead to sub-lethal consequences in the aquatic fauna and clinical poisoning to man

Impact of globalisation on domestic family law: multi-tiered marriage in Nigeria as a case study

The concept of globalisation is commonly discussed as an issue in international law. However, little attention is paid to its influence in domestic family law. As a result of the growing trend of globalisation, legal and cultural norms of the host culture and the foreign culture are fused, thereby, leading to cultural homogenisation or cultural hybridisation, depending on the level of accommodation of the foreign norm by the host norm. One of the areas where hybridisation or homogenisation of cultural and legal norms manifests, especially in African countries including Nigeria, is in the marriage system, particularly in the conclusion of marriage contracts. In Nigeria, one of the impacts of cultural hybridisation is the evolvement of multi-tiered marriage, where a couple combines marriages under the statute law, customary law and religious law, especially Islamic law. This paper is an exploratory study of how globalisation impacts on how and why multi-tiered marriage is contracted in contemporary Nigeria. The paper also briefly discusses how the combination of marriages as a response to globalisation affects the operation of family law rules in Nigeria as well as the rights of the parties involved, especially the women